Nintendo’s first big release for the Nintendo Switch is nearing in the form of Fire Emblem Engage. Developed by Intelligent Systems, Engage is the latest mainline entry in the Fire Emblem franchise and the first since Fire Emblem: Three Houses, the highest-selling game in the franchise gained many new fans with its increased focus on social elements and diverging story paths.
Engage dials these elements back and is more focused on the strategic battles with a singular narrative. This seems to be a sticking point for some Aussie critics who see Engage as a step back, while others feel this back-to-basic approach was a necessary step and believe Engage is a true successor to Fire Emblem Awakening, the game which revitalized interest in the franchise.
Fire Emblem Engage releases on Nintendo Switch on the 20th of January 2023
Here’s what Australian critics are saying about the game.
KOALATY CRITICS – AUSTRALIAN CRITICS
Checkpoint Gaming – 6.5/10 (Edie W-K)
Despite the fun I had with Fire Emblem Engage, I am left with a sour taste in my mouth from its story, which is Fire Emblem’s weakest in recent memory. Fire Emblem fans will likely marvel as I did at its graphical prowess, and many I’m sure will prefer its new anime identity. But I wanted something that improved on Fire Emblem: Three Houses, and what I got felt too much like a step back.
GamesHub – 4/5 (Edmond Tran)
But Engage is a game that puts a lot of thought and lavish detail into bringing its chess-like battle system to life. The fully realised maps end up being a key part in melding the fantasy of embodying both a commander and soldier. Each command you give sees the bird’s-eye camera swoop down into the map, the war table transforming into a grand 3D world, with each and every detail represented, and your expressive soldiers embellishing each move and attack with impressive animations. The series has always used close-up representations of the action, of course, but it’s never looked this good, felt this cohesive, or been this compelling to watch each and every fight, for the dozens and dozens of hours spent completing the game.
Player2 – A- (Paul James)
Fire Emblem Awakening set the stage for the reinvention and revitalisation of the Fire Emblem IP, and where the games since have slightly deviated from the formula that helped Awakening to explode a decade ago, Fire Emblem Engage is the truest sequel to the game brought in so many new or lapsed Fire Emblem fans. It both embraces the old foundational elements of the franchise and sprinkles on some cherries on top to freshen the cake up.
Press Start – 8/10 (Harry Kalogirou)
The Break and Smash systems incentivise smart play to get the most out of their inherent bonuses, forcing you to think about positioning, and turn order in a way that hasn’t been this present since Awakening. It echoes old-school Fire Emblem with some modern trimmings that feel like a natural progression of ideas synonymous with Fire Emblem’s strategy.
Stevivor – 9/10 (Matt Gosper)
After dozens of hours traipsing around the world map of Elyos, I’ve found myself pleasantly surprised with what I’ve found. The shift in tone and style helps set the game apart from what came before, and the new mechanics bring a breath of fresh air to combat while paying tribute to all the games that came before. I was surprised to find a level of difficulty that Three Houses had, for the most part, not showcased – paired with a story with enough twists and turns to keep me interested. While players may be tempted to judge Fire Emblem Engage on the art style alone, I strongly suggest giving it a try before casting judgement; you may just find that this is one of the best Fire Emblem games to date.
Vooks – 4.5/5 (Paul Roberts)
Fire Emblem Engage is an adventure I wanted to keep going, with characters you want to get to know even while the land is becoming mired in war. It feels like a celebration of the series’ past combined with a whole new story. I recommend Fire Emblem to fans and anyone who likes a good strategy RPG.
WellPlayed – 7/10 (Ralph Panebianco)
There’s a notable section of the fanbase who found Three Houses too indulgent or unwieldy – who felt that its social sim stuff was too elaborate, and a distraction from the tactics-based combat that was the foundation of the franchise. If you’re one of those fans, there’s every chance that you’re going to love Fire Emblem Engage. There is a lot of stuff to fight and a huge amount of customisation that allows you to create your own truly unique warband. If you don’t fall into that category though, you’re probably going to find a lot less enjoyment in Fire Emblem Engage.
Aggregator Score
